You can practice natural resources conservation just about anywhere

Conservation is everyone’s responsibility. All land has resources of soil, water, air, plants and wildlife. Conservation means using these resources wisely, while protecting or improving their quality. Many conservation methods are the same for farms, park and yards.

No matter what county or state you are in, your local Soil and Water Conservation District promotes conservation.

The saying “with the right to own goes the duty to conserve” pertains to everyone. The districts can not do this alone; we need your help.

Backyard conservation

In addition to celebrating Arbor Day and Earth Day, it is very important to practice good conservation of our natural resources every day. Whether your backyard is a small square of grass or a farm of hundreds of acres, you can enrich yourself and your family, too.

Think of your yard as part of the bigger landscape around you. If each person or family does only a small part to conserve resources on the land they tend, the results add up to a better world.

Family time

Conservation projects do more than just improve your backyard. As you plan backyard projects, do them, and enjoy the results, you’ll share valuable time with family. Sharing time and experiences is one of the best ways to strengthen family relationships.

Backyard conservation projects can help teach young people important lessons about responsibility. They’ll learn to grow to appreciate other living things. They’ll see how planning and practice lead to results. They will grow confident that their own actions can help build a better future.

Same with water

Water is a natural resource we borrow. We don’t own it, we don’t keep it. We use it.

Water is constantly moving. In general, it evaporates from oceans into the atmosphere (air), condenses into clouds, falls as rain or snow, and eventually returns to oceans through a drainage system of streams and rivers. This movement is called the water cycle.

Energy from the sun, which allows evaporation, and gravity are the driving forces that power the cycle.

Here is an interesting fact: The Earth is covered by three-fourths water. But did you know only 1 percent is available for human use?

We need to use our water wisely. Did you know that the typical shower uses 10-25 gallons of water? Did you leave the water running while brushing your teeth this morning? Consider decreasing the number of minutes you are in the shower and turning the water off while brushing your teeth. You can save a considerable amount of water.

You can save money on your water bill and also on your electric bill by not heating as much water.

We can make a difference together, if everyone is just a little more considerate regarding our natural resources